Advice 1: How to hang up an icon

The house is a continuation of the temple. Before almost every Orthodox family it was customary to place in the house the most conspicuous place a shelf with icons, or even an entire home iconostasis. The number of icons and richness of their decoration in this case testified about the level of affluence and position its head in society. The location of the icons has several names: the red corner, front corner, the Holy corner, a Shrine, Shrine, Shrine. If you want to know how and where to hang the icons, we will be happy to explain.

Some Orthodox icons hanging directly above the headboard. So it is possible a more efficient use of cramped space, with racks do not interfere with, and to sleep under the shadow of the shrines much nicer and calmer.

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Icons do not have to hang on the wall. They can be placed on a dedicated shelf. But if a lot of icons, it is better to hang them on the wall, observing some simple rules. If the icons in your room are hung asymmetrically, haphazardly and without any thought out composition, it will certainly cause a feeling of discomfort and dissatisfaction with the placement of the icons, the desire to change it. And this is very disturbing and distracts from prayer.

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Icons are also possible and even necessary to place in other rooms. The kitchen is to hang the icon. Be sure to place in the nursery the icon of the guardian angel or patron Saint of the child. According to tradition, was hung over the entrance to the apartment or the house icon of the Holy virgin. But now it can be replaced with any other icon or cross.

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By the way, placing icons in your apartment or home, please note that they should not stand or hanging together with other paintings (even on Bible topics) or elements of everyday life. Misplaced icons in bookcases, close to toys, cosmetics, photos of family members, statues. Do not place icons next to the posters of politicians, stars of show business, athletes and other celebrities.

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Infrequently, but still have to see the icons on the walls or on the shelves of pictures of the Holy fathers, monks, elders. It is canonically valid because the photograph captures a specific moment of the earthly life of a man, even a Church or even numbered subsequently canonized. The icon represents it in the icon of the Saint, in his transformed, glorified state. Of course, the presence of such pictures in the home is not canceled. But to put or hang up pictures need apart from the icons.

Advice 2 : How to place icons in the house

According to your faith will it be done to you. You must remember the traditions of our ancestors and learn how to treat the icons and their placement in the house. Follow some of the advice, and everything will be fine.

Instruction

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Since ancient times Christians have prayed, turning to the East. Therefore decided to equip the iconostasis in the Eastern side room of the house. If the layout of the room does not allow it, select the next to the East corner or wall. Following the godly traditions, they should not be absolutized. Some of the icons are allowed to be placed on other sides of the house, that the spirit of Holy images have always supported us and adjusted on positive emotions. The altar on the East side built Orthodox churches.

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The main thing - that before the "red corner" was enough free space to commit the common prayer of the whole family. It is desirable for the iconostasis to allocate a roomy shelf. If it will not fit all the icons, the other to hang on any wall. Wrong will place the icons in the book or other cabinets as there should not be foreign objects. Icons can serve as interior decoration.

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Of course, that each house should be icons of Jesus Christ and mother of God. The icon of the Savior, place right, left – the icon of the virgin. It is also important to observe the principle of hierarchy. Any icon should not be placed above the icons of the Trinity, of our Savior, mother of God and the apostles. It is desirable that the iconostasis is crowned with the Christian cross.

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Icons you can have in the dining room, where lunch households that before the meal was to pray to God for daily bread, and after dinner – to thank. Above the entrance to the home traditionally post the icon of the blessed virgin.

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Among the icons should not be artistic paintings and engravings of biblical scenes, which a priori are not canonical icons. Accordingly, there is no place for images of monks, elders and priests, even enumerated by the Church to sainthood. They can be placed elsewhere.

Note

Icons in the house. Home decoration with icons from ancient times was one of the main customs of the Russian people. Today faith back to the people, and with it reverence for the icon. There is an unspoken list of icons that need to have a home. First and foremost, we are talking about the icons of the Saviour and mother of God.

Useful advice

A man in the temple praying before the Holy icons. Should do this at home. Before every house the Russian people were icons in the red corner. But in the era of "red corners" people have tried to erase even the memory of the Church, few survived and the memory of what icons need to have in the house and how they should be placed. Where to place icons at home? In a free and accessible place.

Advice 3 : How to hang an icon

This question sooner or later arises in everyone who becomes an icon or receives it as a gift. And really, how to correctly place it in the house to offer prayer to the Lord and not to violate any divine law? After all, prayer is a kind of sacrament, and any sacrament must be done in the appropriate place, not anywhere. How to hang icons in urban apartments or private homes?

Instruction

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The best place for icons in the house – the red corner. It was here, according to tradition, is the iconostasis, ecclesiastical literature, candles or lamps and the cross. Red corner house – is the wall opposite the entrance to the room. The location was no coincidence; everyone included may worship the images, not looking for them for a long time in all corners. It is better that the space in front of the iconostasis was free and allowed to stand in prayer for all family members and guests at the same time.

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The altar is on the East side, as well it should have the icon of the house, praying to stood face to the East. However, if you do not have a suitable location for the images in the Eastern part of the apartment, you can hang them in any other place. It is important that it wasn't a dull area, in which sunlight cannot reach, and the wall that the icon will decorate and make it lighter. Icon to hang on an ordinary nail and set on a special shelf next to the other icons. If the icons in the house a lot you can do for them special iconostasis. Importantly, the process of collecting images does not become mere collecting. After all, their purpose is very different, and there is no relationship between the number of icons in the house and piety of its inhabitants.

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It is not necessary to install the icons among the books on the shelves and in the shelves of the cabinets mixed with the cosmetics, figurines and photos of family. Also can't put icons next to the toilet or in a series of paintings and other works of art. Remember that the icon is not a beautiful picture and not just the image. The purpose of an icon in the house – saving of reverence and faith, and sacred protection. In the bedroom of the spouses of the icon positioning is possible, despite the erroneous belief of many that it's sinful.

Note

Many believe that the marital bedroom and the icon – are incompatible. And even halt for the night iconostasis cloth. It is fundamentally wrong. Intimacy between spouses in marriage is not considered sin. In addition, no tissue from the eyes of the Lord to close it.

Useful advice

First and foremost, the house must have an icon of Jesus and mother of God. They are mounted on a common iconostasis in the Red corner. You can also install the icon of patrons of all family members or any other icons that are valuable for you.

Advice 4 : What is the significance of the icon of the Holy virgin

Intercession of the Theotokos is one of the most beloved Orthodox holidays, which is celebrated on October 14. He devoted a lot of icons. They depicted the virgin Mary extends its cover as a sign of special protection. So interpreted, this holiday in Russia.

The history of the holiday of intercession of the Theotokos

The basis of the Orthodox holiday of the Intercession of the Holy virgin went to the event, according to legend, in Constantinople in the first half of the tenth century (910).

In the life of blessed Andrew the Holy Fool describes the appearance of the virgin in Blachernae Church, witnessed Sam Andrew and his disciple Epiphanius. In those days the capital of the Byzantine Empire was besieged by the Saracens. In the Blachernae Church was a sacred relic – the robe of the blessed virgin, of her belt and Morf (headdress).

Escaping from enemies, many residents took refuge in the temple in the hope of the mercy and intercession of the Heavenly Queen. During the vigil, the blessed Andrew and his disciple had a vision. Accompanied by the angels, John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the virgin Mary came to the altar, prayed for people, and then took off his omophorion (cloak) and holding, spread it over all those gathered in the temple. As if he wanted to intercede for them before the Savior and to hide from possible harm. This miracle marked the start of a special Church service in honor of our lady.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the protection from 1164. And in 1165 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky built on the river Nerl Church consecrated in honour of the Cover.

The meaning of the icon intercession of the Theotokos

In Byzantium it was the custom to close the image of the virgin with the veil, and, according to legend, once a week, this veil miraculously lifted several hours, opening the icon.

However, in Byzantium the feast of the protection was not. Accordingly, not developed and canons image on the icons. These images only appeared in Russia in the XIII century.

One of the earliest Pokrovsky icons – images on the Western gate of the Suzdal Cathedral. By the beginning of the next century took shape 2 versions of the same image of the Holy virgin: the virgin Mary holding the cover in his hands, or he stretched out on the mother of God.

These icons Mary is often depicted in the pose of Oranta raised for prayer hands. Cover as it hovers in front of the lady, touching her upraised hands.

On the Novgorod icon of the XIV century angels holding the hovering protection of the virgin, and above it, arms outstretched in a gesture of blessing, shines the figure of the Savior.

As a rule, both Pokrovsky multi-figure icons. Framed by the arches and domes artists depict the audience in the temple, the people blessed Andrew with the student, as well as saints, apostles, and John the Baptist. On both sides to Mary, as the motionless center of the world, rush angels.

Strict symmetry in the arrangement of figures and architectural details inherent to the intercession icons used to Express the internal unity, a holiday of unification. All faces are turned to the virgin Mary in a single light impulse. She is a wonderful cover, whose protection is granted to the entire human race. This is the main meaning of the icon the Holy virgin.

Advice 5 : Where went the tradition of hanging a lock on the bridge

At the heart of any European is a bridge with thousands of locks. The fact is that just twenty years ago, there was a tradition of "bonding" feelings this way. Believes that if lovers hang a lock on the bridge railing, throw the key into the water, nothing will ever be able to destroy the Union of their hearts.

The emergence of a tradition

Despite the fact that this tradition seems to be very romantic and vintage, it appeared only in the nineties. Italian writer Federico Moccia for one of his novels could not invent, as it lovers the heroes swore an oath of loyalty and love each other. Since the action in his novel happened in Rome, he wanted to find a special romantic spot in the Eternal city, and it was not there. Therefore, the author invented their own tradition. He was appointed to Ponte Milvio, this place is for all the lovers of Rome, where his characters are brought to each other vows with a padlock and threw away the key.

Since the Roman Ponte Milvio covered with locks, so to discern it beneath them became difficult. Once under the weight of the locks has fallen lamppost on this bridge. The power of Rome tried to intervene to structure somehow this tradition, but without success. Italian lovers never gave her shelter and continued to hang the locks on Ponte Milvio.

Over time, this tradition spread throughout Europe. And there is swearing in this way can any couple, but in our country, the castles, primarily associated with the wedding. In Moscow, for example, Luzhkov bridge became a place of pilgrimage for half of all young couples of the capital. However, in the case of Luzhkov bridge, the city authorities have been very clever. Near the bridge was established the Tree of love whose branches can withstand thousands of these locks and vows, not causing harm to anyone. After a very short time at the Tree of love there are still a few relatives, because the branches of the same structures all the locks did not fit. Now next to the Trees of love on Luzhkov bridge are also benches for quarreling lovers. Their design assumes that either sat down on the edge of the people will still roll to the center.

The castles with the most popular bridges are cut to free up space for new. So it makes sense to hang your clasp away from the popular places, so it lasted a little longer.

Slavic tradition

In the Slavic traditions and bridges, and the locks were widely used. After the wedding, when the bride enters into her husband's house, near the threshold have always been an outdoor castle. When young passed inside, the castle is closed, the key thrown into a deep well. Sometimes drowned and the castle, which is metaphorically a marriage.

Until now, many grooms before the wedding move through the seven bridges, because it promises happiness.

Bridges in the Slavic tradition has always been considered a symbol of the transition. Therefore grooms often worn by brides across the bridges to the marriage was a happy one. So the new tradition of locking vows well taken root on Russian soil.

Advice 6 : The Holy icon of the Trinity: the value for the Orthodox

The Holy Trinity is one of the fundamental concepts of the Christian faith. It distinguishes Christianity from the other Abrahamic religions: the belief in one God and in Islam and in Judaism, but the concept of the Trinity is unique to Christianity. It is not surprising that such an important concept reflected in the iconography.

The Trinity is not only one of the most important concepts in Christianity, but one of the most mysterious. "One in three persons" – it is impossible to understand, comprehend to the end, to understand the mind, it can only be taken as a given, sincerely believing. Even harder to imagine the Holy Trinity in the form of specific visible image, but writing the icon demands it, and the painters found a way out, based on Scripture.

The Old Testament Trinity

In the old Testament tells how God appeared to Abraham and Sarah in the form of three strangers. The couple has welcomed them, not immediately realizing that it was the Triune God. This episode is one of the foundations of the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and that he often used to image the Trinity icons.

The Trinity is portrayed as three angels sitting under a tree or around a table with refreshments, sometimes near them there are Abraham and Sarah.

The most famous icon of this kind – "Trinity" by Andrei Rublev. The icon is notable for its brevity – there's not a single superfluous detail: neither Abraham and Sarah next to the angels, nor of a still life on the table – only the Cup in line with the "Cup of suffering" that you have to drink to God the Son. Angels are perceived as a vicious circle, comparable to the notion of eternity.

The new Testament Trinity and the Fatherland

In another embodiment, the image of the Trinity, God the Father appears in the form of the elder. The feature of this image is that the head of an old man surrounded by a halo is not round, as usual, and triangular. The nimbus of God the Father placed the letters "Am" as in the halo of the Savior, emphasizing the unity of God the Father and God the Son.

Next to God the Father sits the Son of God – Jesus Christ in the same form as he is depicted on other icons. In his hands He holds the cross and the gospel. The third face of the Holy Trinity – God the Holy Spirit.He is represented hovering above the Father and the Son of a white dove it is in this way the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus Christ at His baptism in the Jordan.

A variant of the NT Trinity – Fatherland, God the Son in the image of a child sitting on the lap of the elder – God the Father, the Holy Spirit, as in the previous embodiment, presented in the form of a dove.

In 1667 the Great Moscow Council was convicted of any image of God the Father (with the exception of the images of the Apocalypse). Thus, now canonical image of the Holy Trinity is the only "old Testament Trinity".